April 7, 2011 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Each year, thousands of diehard off-road enthusiasts descend upon Moab, Utah, for the Easter Jeep Safari and a week of fun on some of the country’s best and most rugged trails. Jeepģ and Mopar are marking the occasion by returning to the annual event – which takes place April 16-24 – with six new customized vehicles.

“The annual Moab Easter Jeep Safari provides us a perfect opportunity to interact with our most loyal fans in a true Jeep setting,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “We are able to demonstrate and test new potential Jeep production and customization ideas at our away-from-home proving ground, while getting instant feedback from our customers.”

More than 30 percent of the people who are in the market for a new vehicle are influenced by the breadth and availability of aftermarket accessories and Mopar comes to the party with a vast selection of accessories that will fit a variety of lifestyles.

“From full engine packages to slush mats, Mopar has everything for the avid off-roader,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and Chief Executive Officer – Mopar, Chrysler Group’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “In fact, Mopar covers the spectrum with more than 280,000 proven quality-tested parts and accessories that allow customers to personalize their Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and Fiat vehicles.”
Over the past decade, a dedicated group of engineers, designers and fabricators from Mopar and Jeep have customized more than two dozen vehicles and a host of off-road parts and accessories, and showcased them to the enthusiast crowds in Moab.

“Moparized” Jeep vehicles for the 2011 Moab Easter Jeep Safari

Jeep Wrangler ’Pork Chop’
The primary focus in the development of ‘Pork Chop’ was to increase Jeep Wrangler’s off-road fun and performance even more through extensive weight savings. The project started with a new 2011 Jeep Wrangler Sport. Weight savings began with removal of a long list of items, including: doors, top, tailgate, bumpers, carpet and sway bars.

Body modifications began with removing the rear tailgate hinges and latches and creating a custom surround. The inner fender panels were reshaped and the taillamps relocated closer together. A custom roll cage was crafted and the windshield height was reduced two inches. Hanson Bumpers provided a set of unique aluminum bumpers and QMC contributed their prototype aluminum/carbon fiber hood, held in place with Drake aluminum hood latches.

The interior was updated with bright red lightweight Sparco ‘Chrono Road’ reclining bucket seats. Gale Banks added a unique set of long tube headers and dual-exhaust with an integrated H-pipe to replace the stock system. Further weight savings was recognized courtesy of a Gen-Right-fabricated, prototype rear-mounted 20-gallon fuel tank and aluminum skid plate.

A smaller evaporation canister for the emissions system was borrowed from a 2012 Fiat 500. The massive weight savings actually lifted the suspension, which was combined with a moderate Mopar lift to clear Mickey Thompson 35-inch Baja Claw radials mounted on lightweight 17x8 E-T Vintage V wheels. The suspension includes Bilstein 2-inch shocks with reservoirs and TeraFlex air bumps at all four corners. Dynatrac Axles designed lightweight ProRock 44 front & rear axles fitted with 4.88 gears, ARB air lockers and prototype aluminum differential covers. The axles are located with unique aluminum control arms provided by Full Traction.

The result is a weight savings of more than 850 lbs., and even more open-air Jeep Wrangler fun.

Jeep Compass Canyon
For 2011, the team has built up its first Jeep Compass. The project began with a new 2011 model equipped with Freedom Drive II drivetrain. The Compass Canyon features a 2-1/8-inch lift kit provided by Rocky Road Suspension, making room for Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ 225/75-R16 tires with 16-inch alloy wheels from a Jeep Liberty.

To increase off-road capability, an ARB 3-inch suspension lift and Old Man Emu shocks clear the way for Mickey Thompson 265/75-R16 MTZ tires mounted on steel wheels. Traction is increased with the addition of an ARB air locker in the rear differential and on-board air compressor.

Warn provided their all-new 9.5 CTi series winch and AEV finished off the Renegade with their rear bumper/spare tire carrier combo. The interior was treated to a Katzkin seat trim kit sourced from the Mopar catalog and the exterior was finished in a black and gold paint scheme that recalls the early 1970’s CJ5 Renegade model.

Jeep Wrangler JK-8 Independence
Taking cues from the popular Jeep Scrambler CJ-8 from the 1980’s, Mopar has designed a kit for do-it-yourselfers that converts a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited into a pickup truck. The bed length is 50 inches and the width between wheel wells is 44 inches. The team created body panels to cover the second-row entrance and removed all of the interior parts behind the front seats—transforming the vehicle into a two-seater with just enough room for gear inside, and a pickup style bed to be used for outside cargo.

The JK-8 drivetrain is fitted with a Mopar/Dynatrac ProRock 44 front axle and stock Dana 44 rear axle, both spun with 4.88 gears. Linking the axles to the frame is a 4.5-inch long-arm suspension kit and 37-inch BF Goodrich Mud Terrain KM2 tires make the connection to the ground. A fresh coat of yellow paint and Mopar’s off-road bumpers for the front and rear were utilized along with a new fuel door and slush mats.

The JK-8 kit includes bed floor, inner/outer body panels, half hard top (works with Freedom Top panels), and a new bulkhead.

Jeep Wrangler Blue Crush
Inspired by the King of the Hammers race in the deserts of California, the Jeep Wrangler Blue Crush combines high-speed off-road racing and rock-crawling capability. At the core is a Mopar 426 cubic-inch HEMI with 540 horsepower. The all-aluminum V-8 is paired with a 545RFE performance transmission and a gear-drive transfercase.

To help the suspension keep up with the engine, Mopar added a high-speed, performance off-road suspension system with internal bypass shocks, front stabilizer bar and full hydro-steering. Gigantic 39-inch tires are turned with the help of custom driveshafts. The Wrangler Blue Crush also features a baja-style full cage, race seats, fuel cell and short aluminum bumpers.

“Moparized” Ram Truck
Mopar Ram Runner
The available Mopar Ram Runner kit was inspired by high-speed desert off-road racing. The rigors of off-road racing require large tires, additional ground clearance and a sophisticated suspension system capable of withstanding tremendous impact. These features are combined with the proven HEMI 5.7-liter V-8 into a package that is stable at speed and rock-solid in the corners. Inspired by trophy trucks, steel front fenders and rear bed-sides are replaced with fiberglass layered in the Liquid Metal Mopar racing scheme. The high-clearance wheel wells allow tremendous suspension articulation with zero tire-to-body interference.

Ram and Mopar will sponsor the 2011 TORC short-course off-road racing series and bring a significant on- and off-track presence to each round of the championship. Ram will become the official vehicle of TORC with the Mopar Ram Runner pacing all of the series’ events.

Jeep and Mopar at the Moab Easter Jeep Safari
Jeep and Mopar will have a large display in the center of downtown Moab during the Easter Jeep Safari with these and a number of other customized vehicles on exhibition, including the previously introduced Jeep Grand Cherokee Off-road Edition, Jeep Wrangler Mayhem, Jeep Wrangler Immortal, Mopar Camper Trailer, Jeep Wrangler Tan Man, Jeep Wrangler “The General” and a fully dressed military version of the Jeep Wrangler J-8 with turret and passenger mounted-machine guns.

Jeep Brand
Built on 70 years of legendary heritage, Jeep is the authentic SUV with class-leading capability, craftsmanship and versatility for people who seek extraordinary journeys. The Jeep brand delivers an open invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a full line of vehicles that continue to provide owners with a sense of security to handle any journey with confidence.

The Jeep vehicle lineup consists of the Compass, Grand Cherokee, Liberty, Patriot, Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited. To meet consumer demand around the world, all six Jeep models are sold outside North America - and all are available in right-hand drive versions and with gasoline and diesel powertrain options. Chrysler Group LLC sells and services vehicles in approximately 120 countries around the world.